be not in the cards

To be all but certain not to happen, occur, or take place. Look, you've been doing excellent work lately, but a promotion just isn't in the cards right now—our budget is stretched way too thin as it is. They've played very well in today's championship game, but if they can't overcome this deficit, a title won't be in the cards for them. You were in that big meeting—please tell me layoffs aren't in the cards.